The employer will have to pay overheads for working from home

The law introduces a series of novelties, among which is the suppression of long-term fixed-term contracts, regulation of work at separate workplaces, and a new form of work through digital platforms.

Fixed-term contract for three years

The new Labor Law will limit fixed-term work to three years and three consecutive contracts. These are contracts between which no more than three months have passed, and they are concluded with one or more related employers. After three years and three contracts, a new one can be concluded after six months.

However, there are also exceptions such as replacements of a temporarily absent worker, completion of a project that includes financing from EU funds, and seasonal jobs as well as agency workers. After six months, the worker has the right to request an indefinite contract, and if this is not possible, the employer is obliged to provide him with a reasoned, written answer within 30 days.

The employer will have to pay overheads for working from home

As for working at a separate location, it is about working from home or remotely, as permanent, temporary or occasional. It is done from home in the worker's home or some other place that is determined by agreement. Remote work is always done through ICT, and the worker determines the place of work, which is variable. The employer will need to reimburse the costs of utilities, internet and the like if the work from home is permanent or when it lasts for 10 working days continuously. For remote work, this does not have to be done, and it is not even necessary to provide means for work. In case of an emergency, working from home can be arranged without changing the contract for up to 30 days.

For additional work, exceptionally 16 hours a week

If the worker wishes, he can conclude a contract on additional work for another employer without the approval of the parent employer. He just has to inform him about it. The permitted hourly rate for such work is eight hours a week, exceptionally until 4 p.m.

According to the Law, the parent employer will be able to request that the employee stop additional work if there are objective reasons for this, if it is against the legal prohibition of competition or if it is done during the working hours of the parent employer.

Additional changes

Starting next year, employees will have the right to five days of unpaid leave a year to provide personal care for a family or household member, and they will be able to miss one day from work for urgent family reasons.

Among other things, the proposed changes foresee the absence of the right to a notice period and severance pay for workers who exercise the right to an old-age pension with the purpose of encouraging employers to keep such older workers in their employment, explains the minister.